COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Pregnant Women: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Imphal, Manipur

Background: Vaccine hesitancy has been recognized as a public health issue which needs to be addressed urgently. Pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. An assessment of the determinants of vaccine hesitancy will aid in the acceleration of vaccine administration among pregnant women. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women in Imphal, Manipur and assess associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a Tertiary Care Institute in Imphal, Manipur during August 2021. One hundred and sixty-three pregnant women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire over phone calls. Univariate analysis was carried out using the Chi?square test and multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the factors significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.3 ± 5.5 years and majority, 102 (62.6%) were multigravida and 27 (16.6%) had comorbidities. Vaccine hesitancy was found in 127 (77.9%) participants. Logistic regression analysis indicated that awareness on COVID?19 vaccine eligibility (P = 0.002), disagreement of vaccine being unsafe during pregnancy (P = 0.005), and agreement on vaccine benefiting the baby (P = 0.003) were the significant predictors of vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: Nearly four out of every five pregnant women had COVID?19 vaccine hesitancy. Pregnant women should be informed about the benefits and encouraged to take COVID?19 vaccine.

Knowledge and Practice of Ante-natal Care in an Urban Area

Antenatal care (ANC) among pregnant women is one of the important factors in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, many women in developing countries do not receive such care. So, the present study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge and practice of ANC among married women in the age group of 15-49 years and also to assess the association of knowledge of ANC with some selected variables of interest. A crosssectional study was conducted between January 2012 to March 2012 among 429 married women who had a delivery in the last five years in an urban area in Imphal East. Women were interviewed using structured questionnaire regarding socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and practices on ANC. The mean score of the knowledge on ANC was 20.9+ 4.3 out of a total score of 36. However, only 42.6% women got full ANC, and the main reasons for not attending any antenatal check-up were thought of as not necessary and financial constraints. It was found that higher level of education, Hindu religion, age at marriage, and living in owned house were statistically associated with better knowledge (p<0.05). There is a need for enhancing awareness about the importance of ante-natal care and for motivating women to utilize maternal care services.

Knowledge and attitudes of doctors on medical ethics in a teaching hospital, Manipur.

This study aimed to assess the knowledge of, and attitudes to, medical ethics among doctors in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, Manipur. It also looked at the association between levels of knowledge and selected variables. A self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed to all doctors working in RIMS, Imphal between September and October 2007. 315 of 440 (71.6%) doctors contacted, responded. 62.2% of respondents (196) were below 35 years of age. 22.5% (71) were faculty members . 98.7% (311) had heard of the Code of Medical Ethics but only 188 (59.7%) had read it, even in part. 69.2% (218) felt that the undergraduate curriculum on medical ethics was not adequate. 10.5% (33) could describe what medical professionalism meant. Knowledge of medical ethics was higher among those who were over 35 years of age, those who graduated before 1999 and those having higher educational qualifications. The doctors in this survey lacked adequate and detailed knowledge on the code of ethics, though most of them had read it once. There is a need to sensitise doctors on medical ethics and professionalism.